The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-06-12

uC COlOI lOlpOOk l1ClL CuCChSt ElSnJ
coDvulsed her BOSOM moaning she
walked the room, for hers was a true
woman's nature which could not easily
give up the man whom she had almost
worshipped. Finally Henry came. She
heard the door-bell ring, heard his steps
upon the stairs. She threw herself upon
the lounge, her heart beating wildly.
Meanwhile, Henry entering the apartment
below, Mrs. Bronson gave him the note.
"Bell is not WELL" said she; 'the note
probably is request for you TO excuse
her this evening""
He opened the note. read it and turned
as white as sheet. These were its con-
tents:
Mn. RIcHARDs:-AH is over between as. Ask
your own heart why. Mine is breaking. Farewell
forever. Say nothing to mama; it would distress
her. BzLL
Henry endeavored to compose himself;
but Mrs Bronson had already detected the
startling change in his couutenapce.
is anything the matter?' she inquired.
''Bell can probably tell you l cannot.
Will you please ask her if she will see me
only for few minutes. Tell her do not
understand her note
Mrs. Bronson did as requested, but Bell
would not come down.
what is the use?' she said to herself
did not see it all with my own eyes"
Then her mother, winding her arms
round the neek of the afflicted one, kissed
her and, smoothing her hair, said, as she
had been wont to do ever since Bell was a
child:
"Tell me, dearest, what is it,"
mo, no, mammal sobbed the little
brunette, 'some other time-some other
lime"
Then she drew back, her white teeth
clenched.
Mamma, feel wicked! Oh. mamma.
could pull that white hair ever so hard.
AT which terrible announcement she
again broke down. rending the air with
her sobs.
"Wnose hair? Not mine, dearest, /
hopper" exclaimed Mrs. Bronson, whose
hair was growing light with age.
'Oh, no, no, no, indeed; my own dear
motherr' cried Bel, covering the gray hair
with kisses. sit is-it is-oh, | will tell
you some other time; but do not breathe
word of this to him"
Mrs Bronson returned, looking grave,
10 the apartment where Henry stood wait
ing.
"Iy child is i'll" said she. ''She de
cidedly refuses to come down. Upon my
word, MIR. Richards do not understand
it."
The young man departed, saying he
would call again. He did so next day,
when the servant answering his summons
at the door put another note in hand:
Mr.. RlcHARDs;--Pray, do not come again. All
is over. L will never see you again. BELL
Richards was now indignant. He turned
away proudly, making up his mind that
Bell, who would not even tender an eX
PLANTATION, was a heartiess coquette.
A wealthy old acquaintance of her
mother had wanted Bell for a wife; per-
haps she had decided to accept him and
discard her former lover.
Next day, Bell, secretly watching the
cottage, saw The light-haired young
woman again enter it. Her grief had al
most unsettled the poor girls reason,
Wrought up to pitch OF desperation, she
decided to cross over, enter richards
apartment, and there confront him and
his new acquaintance If. indeed, shs was
new one.
Her mother was absent, otherwise she
would have reasoned Bell, who was made
almost insane by her agitation, out of her
intention.
Colorless, pale as death, her great dark
eyes beaming wildly, Bell entered the cot
tage without ceremony and confronted
Richards sitting at table conversng in a
low voice with his visitor. AT sight of the
wild but beautiful apparition both sprang
to their feet, Richards coloring deeply,
while the other instantly dropped her veil.
"Henry false Henry And you, base,
unprincipied woman!' she began, when
the young man, rushing to her side, seized
her hand
BE seated. Miss Bronson. For my
sake do not so excite yourselfw
Her eyes flashed reproach upon him.
She drew back.
That woman, she gasped, pointing to
the yelled figure. Il saw it all. You and
She"
Here she broke down, her voice choked
with sobs. Richards looked embarrassed,
distressed aud unhappy.
II will explain at some other time, This
lady has merely called on business"
"NaY-do not think TO deceive men
walled Bell. IL saw her kiss you'll
"fhis deception shall go on no longer"
said the voice of the yelled figure, which
was Enthusiastically hoarse.
SO saying the speaker, throwing off veil,
bonnet and a wig of false hair, revealed
the face of a young man in female dress
Madam my friend would not betray
me, but | will not see you and him so
sorely distressed. am Tom Brace, who,
to avoid arrest for debt, has assumed this
disguise. Henry gave me his word that
he would not tell anybody. H old house
keeper was the only one beside himself in
the secret, she having been in the service
of my mother, whom she loved. | have
assumed this disguise until such time as
Henry. WITH sum due to him, can lend
me sufficient to satisfy my creditors. Had
| known. however, that | should make
this trouble between you and HIM, |
should never have accepted his offer"
And now" said Henry in low voice
10 Bell, you know why / wanted to put
off our wedding. Il was in order that |
mlght help my friend by GIVING him the